James 3
What Happens in This Chapter
James warns that teachers will be judged more strictly, then talks about the tongue. He compares it to a horse's bit, a ship's rudder, and a small spark that starts a fire. He says people bless God and curse people with the same mouth, and that this should not happen. He ends by comparing two kinds of wisdom: one that is jealous and selfish, and one that comes from above and is pure and peaceful.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
1My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers. Teachers who teach God's words will be judged more strictly.
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
2We all make mistakes in many ways. Anyone who never says a wrong word is perfect. That person can control his whole body too.
3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
3We put small metal bars in horses' mouths so they will obey us. That small bar turns the whole horse.
4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
4Think about ships too. They are very big, and strong winds push them. But a small rudder steers them wherever the pilot, the person steering, wants to go.
The KJV says the pilot goes "whithersoever the governor listeth." Here "listeth" means wants or chooses, not "lists."
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
5The tongue is like that. It is a small part of the body, but it brags about big things. Think how one tiny spark can set a whole forest on fire.
6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
6The tongue is a fire. It is a whole world of wrong inside our bodies. It makes the whole person dirty. It sets a person's whole life on fire. And hell sets the tongue on fire.
7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
7People have tamed every kind of animal, bird, snake, and sea creature. People still tame them today.
8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
8But no one can tame the tongue. It never rests, it does harm, and it is full of deadly poison.
9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
9With our tongue we say good things about God, our Lord and Father. And with the same tongue we curse people, who were made to be like God.
10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
10Good words and bad words come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen.
11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
11Can fresh water and salty water both come from the same spring?
12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree grow olives? Can a grapevine grow figs? No. And a salty spring cannot give fresh water.
13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
13Is anyone among you wise and understanding? Then let him show it by living a good life. Let his actions be humble, the way wise people act.
The KJV says "a good conversation." In 1611 that meant the way a person lives, not talking.
14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
14But maybe your heart is full of bitter jealousy and selfish wanting. Then do not brag about it. Do not pretend it is the truth.
15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
15That kind of wisdom does not come from above. It comes from this world. It is not from God's Spirit. It comes from demons.
16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
16Where there is jealousy and selfish wanting, there is trouble. Every kind of evil thing happens there.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
17But the wisdom from above is different. First it is pure. Then it loves peace and is gentle. It listens and gives in easily. It is full of mercy and does good things. It treats everyone the same. It is honest, not fake.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
18People who make peace plant their seeds in peace. What grows for them is a life that is right and good.
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